Anyone who has had a subscription to Newsweek magazine the past few years is likely not very surprised by the news that the magazine will no longer be printed at the end of the year.
The magazine, which was founded in 1933 and once respected for its superb journalism, had turned into an almost tabloid-type publication with outlandish stories and covers designed to attract publicity. It shrank in size almost every week.
“In 2001, Newsweek had a total paid circulation of 3,158,480, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulation,” noted the New York Times in a story about the magazine’s demise. “But as of June of this year, circulation had fallen by more than half, to 1,527,157.”
Tina Brown was the latest person to run the magazine, which will have major staff cutbacks. It will go to an all-digital format in early 2013.
GO OUT WITH A BANG
Hey, at least it can go out with a bang, providing loyal readers with some end-of-the-world coverage in the first issue dated later than December 21, the predicted “big day.” On a more serious note, it’s certainly a sad day for America’s traditional media and a clear sign of the times we’re living in. But the “information superhighway” is hardly the path to true enlightenment.
NEWSWEEK WON’T BE LAST TO QUIT
They won’t be the LAST to quit expensive paper publication. We all knew that as the internet got faster, both television and print will be a changing!
I predict we’ll see lots of television channels changing too, because the cost of distribution on the INTERNET becomes cheaper than diminishing subscribers on cable. or through the mail or at the news stand.
They still haven’t figured out quite how to keep their revenue stream high enough to support their overhead and journalism. Wish them luck. Hope they can do it through passive advertisements.
We dont’ even take the PAPER anymore! Haven’t for some years, even though the Star practically gives it away. They don’t offer much news anymore we can’t get on the net, from THEM or even TKC!
We don’t even go buy just a Sunday paper at the convenience store anymore for the ads.
Took us another year to realize it wasn’t worth the BOTHER! Businesses have moved their sales to the INTERNET! Why go buy a paper when we get their cool stuff in our inbox? Or yes, still direct mail.
Sorry, I know it sucks but this is a new millenium. I don’t recommend J-students go into newspapering! Luckily, my friend and respected writer, Dave Helling, is old enough now to retire. As I did.